Iraqite-(La) is an extremely rare silicate mineral belonging to the ekanite group, typically found in alkaline pegmatites. Collectors look for its characteristic tetragonal prismatic crystal habit and yellowish-brown coloration, though specimens are prized primarily for their rarity in the mineral market.
Is this iraqite-(la)?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch iraqite-(la) with a known reference. Iraqite-(La) sits at Mohs 4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: whitish.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: dull to pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: greenish yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains, massive.
Often confused with
Iraqite-(La) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Iraqite-(La) leaves whitish, Ekanite leaves white; luster reads dull to pearly on Iraqite-(La) and vitreous on Ekanite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Iraqite-(La) leaves whitish, Steacyite leaves white; luster reads dull to pearly on Iraqite-(La) and vitreous on Steacyite.
Often found alongside iraqite-(la)
Minerals reported to co-occur with iraqite-(la). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KCa₂(La,Ce,Th)Si₈O₂₀
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 3.27 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Whitish
- Luster
- Dull to pearly
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains, massive
- Cleavage
- Three orthogonal, two good and one poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In granite in contact with dolomitic marble containing olivine and diopside
Where rockhounds find iraqite-(la)
Classic worldwide localities
- Shakhi-Rash Mountain, Hero Town, Qala-Diza, Iraq
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In granite in contact with dolomitic marble containing olivine and diopside. If you start seeing quartz, microcline, fluorite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify iraqite-(la)?+
Where is iraqite-(la) found?+
Is iraqite-(la) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like iraqite-(la)?+
What minerals are found with iraqite-(la)?+
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Find iraqite-(la) on the map
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